DUSHANBE, March 14, 2016, Asia-Plus – Colonel-General Vladimir Zarudnitskiy, Commander of Russia’s Central Military District, arrived in Tajikistan on March 14 to inspect preparedness of the unified group of Russian and Tajik armed forces for a joint military exercise that will start at the Halqayor training ground in Tajikistan’s Khatlon province tomorrow, according to the Central Military District press center.
Russian general has reportedly inspected readiness of bodies of military management of the unified group and air force for the joint carrying out of training and combat missions within the framework of a joint Russian-Tajik command and staff drill.
On March 15, the exercise will be conducted at the Halqayor training ground and on March 16 it will continue at the Mumirak training ground. On March 17, the exercise will be conducted at the Lohour training ground and on March 18-20, the exercise will continue at the Harbmaydon training ground, the Central Military District press center said.
The purpose of the exercise is reportedly to rehearse coordination and interaction in combat missions in mountains.
The Central Military District is one of Russia”s Military Districts. The district was formed in president’s decree №1144 signed on September 20, 2010. The district includes the territories of the former Siberian Military District.
In June 2015, U.S. expert Leslie H. Gelb wrote that the role of the Central Military District is to “orchestrate Russian engagement in local conflicts within Central Asia, to manage Russia’s bases in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, and to supply reinforcements from its two armies either to the east or the west in the event of war” and that their purpose is to “forestall instability that might spill over into Russia and to remind everyone that Russia”s forces in the region are mightier than China”s.”
